How to Get Plaque Off Your Dog's Teeth: A Vet-Informed Guide

Your dog's bad breath and yellow-stained teeth are symptoms of plaque buildup. In primary veterinary care, between 44% and 100% of anesthetized dogs had some form of periodontal disease, regardless of the breed or size of the dog (Wallis and Holcombe, 2020).

Plaque is a thin film that covers your dog's teeth. Over time, it turns into a cement-like substance known as tartar, which is responsible for problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. Plaque and tartar are leading causes of advanced dental issues in pets, but the good news is that you can do something about it before they affect your dog's oral health.

Learn how to get plaque off teeth and gums, simple dental cleaning techniques, and when your dog should see a veterinarian for treatment.

Key Takeaways

• All dogs have dental plaque, but if it accumulates, it will lead to problems, such as tartar and cavities.
• Regular brushing at home can remove plaque on your dog's teeth. Use a pet-friendly toothbrush to maintain your dog's dental health.
• Do not use human toothpaste as it contains fluoride and xylitol, which are toxic to dogs. Only use products that are made for pets.
• Tartar buildup below the gumline requires professional dental cleaning under anesthesia.
• Your dog needs a dental check if they have persistently foul breath, bleeding gums, and struggle to eat their food because of a toothache or swollen gums.

What is Plaque and How Does It Turn Into Tartar?

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Plaque consists of a thin film or layer of bacteria and saliva that forms on your dog's teeth after they consume food. The film traps food particles and bacteria, leaving a fuzzy residue over the surface of the teeth. You may not notice the plaque until your pet shows symptoms such as tooth discoloration and very bad breath.

While newly formed plaque is easy to remove with regular brushing, it becomes a problem when it turns into tartar. Jerzy et al. (2024) state that plaque mineralizes into calculus, known as tartar, after only 3 days of settling on the tooth surface.

It only takes a few weeks for tartar to build up on the enamel, the outer layer of teeth, and the gum line. Hardened tartar cannot be removed with brushing and requires removal by a veterinary dentist.

How Plaque and Tartar Lead to Periodontal Disease in Dogs

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The bacteria in plaque and tartar cause gum irritation, inflammation, and swelling, which are the symptoms of a periodontal disease called gingivitis. In more advanced stages, gingivitis causes discolored teeth, bleeding gums, and thick crusts on the surface of the back teeth.

Untreated gingivitis and tartar buildup will continue to trap bacteria below the gumline, resulting in an oral infection. In advanced cases of periodontal disease or periodontitis, the infection spreads into the jawbone, where tooth and bone loss can occur.

Periodontitis is a very painful condition. Dogs with severe dental disease and loose teeth will struggle to eat hard, dry food, resulting in gradual weight loss.

More alarming is the possible association between periodontal disease and pathological organ changes in dogs.

In a study involving the post-mortem assessment of dogs with natural periodontal disease, researchers found greater changes in the heart and a higher risk of liver and kidney disease (Pavlica et al., 2008). Although research is limited, there may be a link between poor dental hygiene and systemic diseases in dogs.

Steps to Get Rid of Plaque on Your Dog's Teeth at Home

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Fortunately, good oral hygiene starts at home. Spending a few minutes a day cleaning your dog's teeth and paying attention to what they eat can prevent periodontal disease. The following steps to prevent and remove plaque will help you maintain your dog's healthy teeth.

Daily Brushing Significantly Reduces Poor Oral Hygiene in Dogs

Clinical studies show that brushing your dog's teeth daily can significantly reduce plaque and calculus. It is the best way to maintain your pet's good oral health.

According to Harvey et al. (2015), brushing every day and every other day, compared to weekly brushing, was more effective in reducing plaque, tartar, and gingivitis-causing bacteria.

To safely brush your pet's teeth, do not use human toothpaste. Regular toothpaste contains toxic ingredients for dogs, and they will swallow the paste instead of spitting it out. Use pet-friendly products with poultry and other enticing flavors that are safe for your dog to consume.

You can use a special dog toothbrush or finger brush with soft bristles. Apply a small amount of toothpaste onto the brush, gently open your dog's mouth, and slowly work your way across their teeth. Focus on the outer surfaces where plaque and tartar build up. Follow our guide on how to remove tartar from your dog's teeth, including tips to practice good oral hygiene at home.

Dental Chews, Treats, and Diets for Healthy Teeth

Dental chews are firm edible treats that scrape the plaque off your dog's gums and teeth. The mechanical action of gnawing and rubbing their teeth against the treat will remove plaque buildup and improve bad breath. The potential limitations of oral chews and treats are that they mainly target the back teeth and cannot remove tartar.

Another plaque removal solution is a specialized dental diet. These diets consist of textured kibble with plaque-reducing additives. The kibble can prevent tartar while promoting good oral health.

While dental chews and diets can certainly help, they do not replace regular brushing. You can learn about safe and effective teeth cleaning solutions for dogs with our list of the top products for dog dental health.

Supplements to Prevent Plaque and the VOHC Seal

If your dog simply won't tolerate brushing, consider water additives and dental powders. A water additive is a liquid that is dissolved into your dog's drinking water. Each time your dog drinks the solution, it reduces oral bacteria and slows plaque formation.

Another high-quality product manufactured to reduce plaque is the ProDen PlaqueOff powder and chews.

The unique ingredient in ProDen PlaqueOff is seaweed, which has a naturally high iodine content. Iodine is antimicrobial and inhibits the bacteria responsible for plaque and tooth decay (Svellenti et al., 2024). It works with your dog's saliva to prevent plaque from sticking to the teeth. With continued use, visible results are achieved in several weeks to months. The powder can be added to dry or wet food and comes in convenient packaging.

The natural supplement consists of an organic kelp ingredient, sustainably harvested from the pristine waters off the Scandinavian coastline. It does not contain any additives, dairy, or artificial preservatives. If your dog has thyroid problems, speak to your veterinarian before introducing the supplement.

Vet-Approved VOHC Seal

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal for pet dental products aims to protect pets and their owners from misleading product claims. To protect your pet's health, look for dental products with the VOHC Seal. It ensures that the product has undergone clinical trials, proving that the dental range can reduce plaque and tartar by at least 20%.

Make Your Dog's Dental Cleaning a Daily Habit

Protect your dog against plaque, tartar, and periodontitis by cleaning their teeth daily. You can introduce a low-maintenance dental supplement and chew such as Prodenta to minimize oral bacteria in pets. Our chewable product reduces the buildup of plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease and decay. Your dog will enjoy a tasty treat while benefiting from fresh breath and cleaner teeth.

Discover how Prodenta works for dogs as an oral care product. It is not a substitute for brushing and professional dental cleaning but can support your pet's long-term oral hygiene.

Why Dogs Need Professional Dental Cleaning to Remove Tartar

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Tartar buildup is the rough and thick layer of crust that forms on your dog's teeth and gumline. It is usually yellow but can turn gray as it thickens. Hardened tartar cannot be removed with routine brushing or plaque-reducing products. If left untreated, it causes tooth discoloration, foul breath, and inflammation associated with periodontal disease.

Only a professional veterinary dentist can remove tartar during a dental cleaning procedure. Dogs are placed under anesthesia, and the tartar is targeted using ultrasonic scaling tools. The vet will eliminate the tartar below the gumline and blast the hard crust off your dog's teeth. At this stage, dental X-rays are performed to assess the surrounding tooth and bone health.

Do not entrust tartar removal to a dog groomer who lacks the expertise and dental equipment to clean your pet's teeth safely. Cleaning below the gumline is painful and must be completed under anesthesia. A veterinary dentist can achieve a noticeable improvement in tartar reduction, leaving your dog with fresher breath and healthier teeth and gums.

Signs of Dental Disease in Dogs

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Awareness of the signs of dental disease in dogs can help you act quickly to prevent decay and tooth loss:

• Persistently bad breath.
• Bleeding, swollen, and red gums.
• Yellow, brown, or gray crust on the back teeth and gumline.
• Difficulty eating, dropping food, or chewing on one side of the mouth.
• Stained and loose teeth.

When to See a Veterinary Dentist 

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Bleeding gums, chronically bad breath, and tooth discoloration require veterinary attention. Dogs that struggle to eat hard food such as kibble or dental chews must be assessed by a professional vet. A veterinary dentist looks for periodontal disease as well as underlying conditions that affect your dog's health.

Ongoing bad breath in dogs is a major sign of an oral health issue. If daily brushing and products like breath freshening chews do not provide a significant reduction in foul breath, it is time to see your veterinary dentist.

Annual Dental Exams

Dogs should receive a dental exam every year as part of their routine wellness check. Small and flat-faced breeds such as pugs, poodles, and French bulldogs should have an oral exam every 6 months. These dog breeds have very crowded and often misaligned teeth, which increases the risk of dental problems and disease (Habib et al., 2026).

Likewise, senior dogs need dental checks every 6 months because they have weaker immune systems and are at higher risk of infections caused by dental plaque and tartar buildup.

Dogs with thyroid problems, such as an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), suffer from a weak immune system. They are more susceptible to severe dental infections because they cannot fight the spread of bacterial plaque (Wang and Lin, 2025).

Regular vet checks and paying attention to your dog's dental health can detect oral issues before they become an emergency.

FAQs

Can I Remove Plaque From My Dog's Teeth Without a Vet?

Yes, you can remove plaque from your dog's teeth without a vet by regularly brushing their teeth. Using a pet-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste, you will notice visible improvements in your dog's teeth, along with fresher breath.

How Often Should I Brush My Dog's Teeth?

You should brush your dog's teeth daily. The frequency and effectiveness of brushing were clinically studied in dogs. The study published in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry revealed that brushing your dog's teeth daily or every other day significantly improved their oral health, protecting against plaque and tartar buildup.

Can Dental Chews Replace Brushing My Dog's Teeth?

No, dental chews can reduce plaque but cannot replace the efficacy of brushing. If your dog does not like having their teeth brushed, your best bet is to try plaque prevention supplements such as Prodenta and ProDen PlaqueOff. Prodenta is a chewable treat, whereas ProDen is a powder. A small dose of the supplement is added to food. These products work by mixing with your dog's saliva to control plaque-causing bacteria. Store these supplements in a dry place to keep them fresh.

How Can I Keep My Dog's Teeth Clean?

Avoid feeding your dog sugary foods, such as biscuits and cakes, as treats. Oral bacteria feed on sugar, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Stick to daily brushing and dental chews to get plaque off your dog's teeth, and visit your vet dentist every year for an oral health exam.

Conclusion

Getting rid of plaque on your dog's teeth can be performed at home with routine brushing. Plaque starts as a soft film on the surface of the teeth before it becomes hard tartar. Using a dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush along with VOHC-approved dental products can prevent plaque buildup and problems such as bad breath, tooth decay, and inflamed gums.

Once plaque turns into tartar, only a veterinary dentist can remove it. Sticking to daily oral hygiene practices gives your dog the best chance of maintaining healthy teeth that are free from tartar.

Be consistent and speak to your vet if you notice signs of severe dental disease such as bleeding gums and discomfort while eating. A yearly visit to the vet can detect underlying oral and general health issues that require a tailored treatment plan.

References

• Wallis, C., & Holcombe, L. J. (2020). A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 61(9), 529–540. 
• Jerzy Gawor, Jank, M., Harvey, C. E., & Nicolas, C. S. (2024). Effectiveness of dental homecare protocols in unscaled dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, 42(3).
• Pavlica, Z., Petelin, M., Juntes, P., Eržen, D., Crossley, D. A., & Skalerič, U. (2008). Periodontal disease burden and pathological changes in organs of dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, 25(2), 97–105. 
• Harvey, C., Serfilippi, L., & Barnvos, D. (2015). Effect of frequency of brushing teeth on plaque and calculus accumulation, and gingivitis in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, 32(1), 16–21.
• Wang, Z., & Lin, X. (2025). The association between periodontitis and hypothyroidism: A comprehensive review. Journal of International Medical Research, 53(10).
• Svellenti, L., Jelena Karacic, Herzog, J., Tanner, M., & Philipp Sahrmann. (2024). Effects of rinsing with povidone-iodine during STEP II periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(7).
• Habib, H., Mumta Soothar, Pan, X., Ding, M., Zheng, C., Zhang, M., & Zhou, Z. (2026). Breed-specific dental variations in dogs assessing malocclusions using computed tomography (CT). Veterinary Sciences, 13(5), 481–481.